Lisle man indicted in Lake Co. car crash

A Lisle man accused of causing a car crash that killed a Grayslake woman was indicted Wednesday by a Lake County grand jury.

Assistant State’s Attorney Stephen Scheller said Donald Mischke, 54, is charged with reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence and aggravated fleeing and eluding in the Dec. 29 crash.

Police said Mischke’s car ran a red light at the intersection of Green Bay and Belvidere roads in Waukegan and struck a car being driven by Elisha Clark, 25.

Clark was pronounced dead at the scene. Mischke suffered several broken bones in the crash and was hospitalized for about two weeks.

Waukegan police said an officer on patrol spotted Mischke attempting to break into the Target store at Lewis and Sunset avenues about 2 a.m. on Dec. 29.

The officer turned on the emergency lights on her car, police said, but Mischke drove off at a high rate of speed.

The officer broke off her pursuit of Mischke when he turned left onto Green Bay and drove south toward Belvidere, police said.

An off-duty Waukegan police officer witnessed the crash at Green Bay and Belvidere, police said, and film from the red light cameras at the intersection has also been taken into evidence.

An autopsy showed Clark died of multiple injuries and had no drugs or alcohol in her system, officials said.

Tests at the hospital where Mischke was taken revealed he had cocaine in his system, Scheller said, and court records show Mischke’s driver’s license has been revoked since 1994.

Mischke, who is being held on $500,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Feb. 24.